“Mr [Abdullah] Öcalan has emphasised that the only way to resolve Turkey’s problems is through democratic and legal means,” said Tülay Hatimoğulları, co-chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, during their weekly parliamentary group meeting in Ankara on Tuesday. Sharing key messages from the second İmralı meeting with Abdullah Öcalan, Hatimoğulları relayed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader’s call for democratic solutions to the interconnected crises facing both Turkey and the wider region.
Hatimoğulları detailed Öcalan’s assessment of the current political climate, calling it a “historical period marked by global, regional, and national crises”. She relayed his warning against the harmful effects of delay tactics, stating, “Mr Öcalan said that using stalling or wait-and-see policies in addressing the Kurdish question and Turkey’s democratisation would be the greatest disservice to the people of Turkey.”
The meeting, held on 22 January, was described as a significant moment by Hatimoğulları, who highlighted Öcalan’s readiness to propose a roadmap for resolving the country’s challenges. “He underscored that the deepening cycles of poverty, exploitation, and injustice can only be broken by moving away from conflict and onto the foundations of democratic law and democratic politics,” she said.
Hatimoğulları also pointed to Öcalan’s belief that collective efforts during critical historical junctures could drive solutions to longstanding problems. She remarked, “Mr Öcalan’s call is clear: the only way to protect the people of Turkey and the region during these crises is to firmly anchor the country in democracy.”
Addressing the role of political leadership, Hatimoğulları shared Öcalan’s assessment that aligning political approaches with the “state mind” could lead to significant breakthroughs. Quoting Öcalan, she said, “He expressed that if approaches like those of Bahçeli were to converge with state reasoning, it could pave the way for a historic opportunity for peace.”
Hatimoğulları framed Öcalan’s views as part of a larger vision for democratic transformation, one aimed at freeing Turkey from the constraints of its current struggles. “He stated that Turkey must rid itself of its chains and end this vicious cycle to seize the moment in history,” she emphasised, calling for serious attention to Öcalan’s proposals.
The İmralı meetings, named after the high-security island prison where Öcalan has been held since 1999, remain a focal point for discussions about resolving the Kurdish question and fostering peace in Turkey. Öcalan, who is regarded by his supporters as a key figure in the push for democratic reforms, continues to call for dialogue despite his isolation.
Hatimoğulları concluded her remarks by urging political actors to take Öcalan’s messages seriously, describing them as a crucial contribution to Turkey’s democratic future. “His readiness to present a comprehensive roadmap shows his commitment to peace, justice, and democracy,” she said, adding that these principles are indispensable for addressing the interconnected crises Turkey faces today.
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